NEW YORK – The Argentine survivors from Tuesday’s attack in New York told their still hospitalized friend on Thursday that five of his comrades died in the terror attack.

The Argentine consul general in New York, Mateo Estreme, told reporters that the decision to inform Martin Marro, the hospitalized victim, of what happened had to be taken and explained that Marro, who had vague memories of what happened, must remain in hospital “a few more days,” despite his positive recovery.

Marro received the news after waking up from sedation in the hospital, where he recovered well from the wounds and fractures after he was struck by a van driven by Sayfullo Saipov, a 29-year-old Uzbek citizen and Islamic State follower.

Eight people were killed in the attack, five of them Argentine citizens, and 12 others suffered different degrees of injuries.

The consul also said that four other Argentine survivors were interrogated as witnesses by the FBI, which offered them advice and support during the process.

With the exception of Marro, all survivors will be flying back to Argentina with their families on Sunday, and it is hoped that the repatriation of the bodies will also take place this weekend.

The Argentine group had traveled to New York to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their graduation and the survivors remained “very close” after the attack, the diplomat added.

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